This blog is dedicated to sharing the concept that our hands are essential to learning- that we engage the world and its wonders, sensing and creating primarily through the agency of our hands. We abandon our children to education in boredom and intellectual escapism by failing to engage their hands in learning and making.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

turning around America

Today in the Clear Spring School wood shop, first, second and third grade students will be finishing their looms, working on name plates for their desks (they are learning to write their full names) and will do a bit of paper sloyd, as they are developing their measuring skills.

We are also looking forward to this weekend with woodturner Beth Ireland. Her project Turning Around America is bringing her to Eureka Springs for one day at the Eureka Springs School of the Arts, and then two days with the students of Clear Spring School. The event at ESSA on Saturday is open to the public, and it will be a great chance for newbies (of all ages) to get their first chance at turning on the lathe.

MISSION STATEMENT

"I want to empower people through the act of making objects with their own hands. I will achieve this by teaching woodturning and simple woodworking to as many people as I can, while traveling across the United States in a van that contains a mini workshop and personal living space." -- Beth Ireland 2010

Beth has now taught 1900 people in her quest to teach woodturning in all 50 states. In other words, Make, fix and create. Our humanity is most fully expressed through our hands.

About Me

I have been a self-employed woodworker in Eureka Springs, Arkansas since 1976. I live with my wife Jean on a wooded hillside overlooking our beautiful historic community.
In addition to work in my wood shop, I teach children at the Clear Spring School in a program called "The Wisdom of the Hands." My 10th book, Tiny Boxes by Taunton Press in November 2016. I also write for Fine Woodworking and other woodworking magazines.
My resume can be downloaded at
www.dougstowe.com/resume.doc